Resolution Number: 2012-D016
Title: Move Episcopal Church Headquarters
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That it is the will of this Convention to move the Church Center headquarters away from the Church Center building at 815 2nd Avenue, New York City.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), p. 709.

Legislative History

Author: The Ven. William Coyne
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Structure

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Structure presented its Report #18 on Resolution D016 (Church Center Location) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(D016)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That it is the will of this Convention to move the Church Center headquarters away from the Church Center building at 815 2nd Avenue, New York City, as soon as it is economically feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council is directed to appoint a Task Force on Real Property including knowledgeable real estate and finance professionals, to explore alternatives and make recommendations for the most effective economic way of a sale, lease, or other disposition of the Church Center building; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Real Property is to make its report to Executive Council by February 2013; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council will proceed with all appropriate speed to implement the Task Force Recommendations, including (if so recommended) placing the Church Center building on the market for sale, lease, or other disposition, as soon as it makes economic sense to do so; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council is directed to appoint a separate Task Force on Church Center Location to identify other suitable alternatives for locating the Church Center, giving special attention to available properties owned by Episcopal-affiliated entities, locations close to large airports, ease of travel, cost of living for Church Center employees, and cost of acquiring or leasing the properties; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Church Center Location will make its report to Executive Council by June, 2013; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council will be prepared to relocate the Church Center headquarters to the new location or locations as soon as it is economically feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $20,000 in the 2013-2015 triennium budget to pay for expenses associated with the work described in this Resolution.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That it is the will of this Convention to move the Church Center headquarters away from the Church Center building at 815 2nd Avenue, New York City., as soon as it is economically feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council is directed to appoint a Task Force on Real Property including knowledgeable real estate and finance professionals, to explore alternatives and make recommendations for the most effective economic way of a sale, lease, or other disposition of the Church Center building; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Real Property is to make its report to Executive Council by February 2013; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council will proceed with all appropriate speed to implement the Task Force Recommendations, including (if so recommended) placing the Church Center building on the market for sale, lease, or other disposition, as soon as it makes economic sense to do so; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council is directed to appoint a separate Task Force on Church Center Location to identify other suitable alternatives for locating the Church Center, giving special attention to available properties owned by Episcopal-affiliated entities, locations close to large airports, ease of travel, cost of living for Church Center employees, and cost of acquiring or leasing the properties; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Church Center Location will make its report to Executive Council by June, 2013; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council will be prepared to relocate the Church Center headquarters to the new location or locations as soon as it is economically feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $20,000 in the 2013-2015 triennium budget to pay for expenses associated with the work described in this Resolution.

Accordingly, the General Convention directs the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church to sell the Church Center Building at 815 Second Avenue, New York City, prior to the 78th General Convention and to report to that Convention on the sale.

Deputy Kirk of Delaware moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment

After the word “sell” in the amended resolution, add “or rent the entirety of”, and, after “New York City,” add “as may be best for the financial stewardship of the Church.”

Deputy Hart of Pennsylvania moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Ferrell of North Carolina moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment

Delete from the amended resolution “, prior to the 78th General Convention and to report to that Convention on the sale”.

Deputy Johnson of Minnesota moved the previous question on the amendment and the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on the resolution as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #58)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Structure presented its Report #17 on HD Message #58 on Resolution D016 (Church Center Location) as amended and moved concurrence.

The Bishop of New York moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment

Delete the last resolve clause.

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the New York amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution D016 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #179)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Structure presented its Report #95 on HB Message #179 on Resolution D016 (Church Center Location) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House Concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #339)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.

Abstract:   The 77th General Convention resolves to relocate Church Center headquarters away from 815 Second Avenue, New York City.